Electron Hut

A note from the writer: I’ve been writing Electron Hut (what Dilbert calls ‘Radio Shack’ in Scott Adams’ Dilbert comic strip) since Spring 2005, when I switched over from being a photographer for The Vanguard to a copy editor/columnist. I stopped copy editing in December 2007, but I wanted to see this column through to the end of my undergraduate career, to continue to bring game reviews and gadget news to the Bentley campus.

I’ve been a proponent of mobile devices and ultra-portable computers for a number of years now. I firmly believe that the future of our computing devices lies in handhelds and small form factor machines. Why? Because with the advances in fast, ubiquitous wireless data access, we no longer have to keep our data locally on our machines.

There are retro-styled games that are great because of their simplicity and dedication to gameplay over all else. Then there are retro-styled games that are awesome because they include a relevant multiplayer component, scoreboards, and enough levels to keep the most diehard fans busy for a long time to come.

After a seven year hiatus and numerous delays, the Smash Brothers franchise saw its latest title hit the Nintendo Wii last week. Boasting an expanded character roster, new levels, a vast single-player mode, improved sound/graphics, and online play, is Brawl; what Smash Bros.

Every year, the Independent Games Festival holds a competition to “reward innovation in independent games,” giving recognition to titles developed by single person or small groups. In particular, the IGF focuses on games that break from the standard genres; the titles that usually win bring something new to the table.

NO MORE HEROES is possibly the zaniest Wii beat-em-up in existence. Directed by Suda51 and developed by Grasshopper Manufacture (of killer7 fame), NO MORE HEROES follows the gory exploits of Travis Touchdown as he attempts to become the world’s number one assassin.